Hey Chicago, Transform Any Space By Eco Landscaping With Native Midwest Plants
Hey Chicagoland!
When you think about making more eco-friendly changes to your life, the first things that usually come to mind are household swaps, different dining choices, and reducing your carbon footprint. But one place that’s likely adding to your carbon emissions is the one place you thought you were safe: your yard.
You’ve probably seen the news about people replacing their lawns with native plants. Mostly in western states like Nevada which are placing permanent bans on grass.
But we have an abundance of gorgeous native plants right here in the Midwest that are not only aesthetically pleasing but are key players in the battle against habitat loss, climate change, and the decline of native species all across the country.
Photo from US Forest Service
Before you buzz away, even if you don’t have a yard or an official garden, this blog is still for you! Native midwestern plants can be used in all types of eco landscaping — from windowsill plants to porch plants to shared gardens, and even a full re-landscape. Incorporate some native gardening practices on your path to living a more sustainable life and help preserve the earth for future generations.
Today we’re talking about how to create a green landscape design right here in Chicago — stay tuned to read our short interview with the experts at Do Good Gardens!
What Is A Native Garden?
Native gardens are essentially gardens that are made up of plants indigenous to a specific region, ecosystem, and habitat prior to European colonization.
What’s so great about these really old plants? Evolution! Over thousands of years, native plants formed connections and symbiotic relationships with the soil, wildlife, insects, fowl, foal, and pollinators local to the area.
Midwest Native Plants Were Made For This Climate
Native midwestern plants come from that tough midwestern stock and can handle Chicago weather better than most Chicagoans. Not only do native Midwestern plants thrive in our climate, but there’s also a whole host of ways they’re beneficial to local ecosystems — including that of the Midwestern prairies and wetlands.
Midwestern native plants thrive in the local soil. They have deep roots that improve soil quality and prevent soil erosion.
These deep roots also help protect the land by reducing runoff and flooding — like how Mangrove Trees protect shorelines.
Most importantly, native plants provide food, shelter, and protection for local pollinators and wildlife.
When invasive and non-native plants work their way into the landscape, the whole ecosystem becomes chaotic.
Invasive species can cause serious damage.
They grow and spread quickly due to a lack of natural predators.
They can wipe out entire species of native plants.
They can introduce new pests and wildlife the local plants have never encountered before.
And they can alter the food chain that leads right back up to us humans (not a robot writing this).
The U.S. spends an average of $26 billion per year since 2010 in an effort to control invasive species across North America, like this Bradford Pear pictured to the right.
Image by Vincent Ward
It’s likely you’ve grown up seeing plants like the Burning Bush and the Bradford Pear around the midwestern area, but both are actually invasive species. The Bradford Pear has weaker branches that can’t hold up against Chicago wind and snow, which requires more maintenance and interference.
Photo by Melonball
A Midwestern alternative would be the Eastern Redbud (the pink tree featured to the left). Native to the midwest, they not only thrive in the Chicago climate, but bloom early in the spring, offering food sources to early-season pollinators. Plus, Eastern Redbuds are gorgeous! Look at those Barbie-pink flowers!
The native plants of the Midwest prairies, wetlands, and mixed forests are home to their own unique and beautiful set of species.
Incorporating Midwestern Native Plants Into Your Garden Is Important
In the same way non-native plants destroy biodiversity, native plants preserve it. One of the main ways they do that is by acting as the world’s best support system for pollinators.
If you haven’t heard — pollinators are kind of a big deal.
They’re responsible for $10 billion in economic value in the U.S. (annually).
They ensure we have food to eat (approx. 1 in 3 bites of food was brought to you by a pollinator).
The existence of every living thing pretty much relies on them.
Native plants literally evolved with pollinators to support each other.
Native plants specifically bloom in congruence with, and throughout the various stages of local pollinators’ lives, to ensure they always have food and shelter.
The pollen and nectar of native plants provide adequate nutrients to local pollinators whereas nonnative plants might be pretty but they offer little to no nourishment.
Pollinators choose plants based on the accessibility to pollen, the pollinator's body size, and even tongue size. The shape and structure of native plants have evolved with local pollinators to provide a variety of options.
Native plants provide food for thousands of local insects which provides food to birds.
Native plants act as nests for birds and butterflies.
Native plants are the start of the food chain that goes all that way up to us humans.
It’s estimated that 25% of North American plant species are at risk of extinction. By incorporating a ‘green’ landscape design into your lawn and garden by removing non-native and invasive species (even decorative ones) we can start the process of reversing this trend while helping the native plants in the Midwest thrive.
America's Obsession With Grass: How Did We Get Here?
Photo by Gus Ruballo on Unsplash
Growing up in the suburbs (of Indiana) I remember how concerned my neighborhood was about grass.
How long it was
How manicured it was
How many times it was fertilized
How dry it was
And how many times the other neighbors cut theirs.
I was not excited to grow up because I thought I had to be so concerned about grass! The sounds of sprinklers were an evening lullaby and if you grew up in any type of suburbia pretty much anywhere in the country, you might share the same memories.
The grass we’re all so familiar with coast to coast takes up 2% of the continental land in the U.S. and is the country’s largest irrigated crop. The best part? It’s not even native to North America!
Along with everything else they brought, European colonists brought grass and clover seeds to the United States as early as the 1640s to replace the “inferior” (AKA different) grasses existing in New England at the time. Despite the differences in insects, microbes, and climate across the U.S., these invasive species quickly expanded and flourished. Eventually, having a clean manicured yard became a status symbol for wealthy colonists. This idea eventually implanted itself into American culture which continued to develop with the expansion of suburbia.
Today roughly 80% of Americans have lawns; with those lawns comes a 40 billion-a-year lawn care industry — and a hefty water bill. Meanwhile, the EPA estimates 1/3 of public water goes towards landscaping — add in fertilizer, pesticides, and the extinction of local species and we think it's fair to say a perfectly manicured lawn is no longer the status symbol it once was.
By incorporating more eco-landscaping tactics involving native plants into your midwestern garden, you’re helping to ensure the survival and growth of all the local species who inhabit the land now and well into the future.
Replacing Your Lawn With Native Midwestern Plants: A More Sustainable Choice
Grass yards are so last century. We’re now in an era of global burning and it’s time to make decisions that center the planet as well as people. Those decisions need to involve native plants.
Native plants use less water because they’re adapted to local conditions.
Native plants make the soil healthier and can help prevent erosion.
Native plants are tough and hardy like us Midwesterners — they don’t need as much chemical interference in the form of fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides (all products of fossil fuels).
Native plants don’t need to be mowed — we can save some of the 800 million gallons of gas Americans use to cut their grass (and the 17 million gallons spilled filling up tanks each year).
Because they don’t need to be mowed they’re creating less pollution from maintenance tools. And to anyone who has been woken up at the crack of dawn from a neighbor mowing, it reduces noise pollution as well.
Native plants improve the air quality — By needing fewer chemicals for maintenance they can spend more time removing carbon dioxide from the air.
Overall, native plants offer a simple, low-maintenance landscaping option, in addition to all the other benefits. They were meant to be here, which means less work for you and more time you can spend enjoying nature.
And while everyone is concerned with how green their grass is (all the same shade of green BTW) you can have a thriving, low-effort, low-maintenance, colorful, and beautiful garden/landscape/windowsill totally unique to you.
The Benefits of Gardening With Native Midwestern Plants
Incorporating more midwestern native plants into your life is a great way to help local pollinators, and wildlife, reduce pollution, all while letting you enjoy nature with a low-maintenance routine. Let’s put all the benefits together in one place.
Native plants require simple, low-maintenance landscaping when properly planted and established.
They don’t require mowing which can reduce pollution from lawn mowers and other tools.
They need less water to survive. (preserve a precious resource and save your water bill)
They are less susceptible to diseases and need fewer chemical fertilizers, insecticides, & pesticides.
They thrive in the local soil and help it stay healthier.
They protect water quality and other parts of the land by controlling soil erosion, floods, and droughts.
Native plants have evolved with pollinators to help them thrive and continue helping to grow our food.
Native plants provide nutritional value to local pollinators.
Native plants provide food and habitats to all native wildlife; they are the beginning of the entire food chain.
They can help slow down the spread of fire.
Native plants improve air quality by removing carbon dioxide from the air.
Native plants promote local biodiversity.
They help local keep local ecosystems from extinction.
They help us reconnect with the land.
Native plants provide emotional and health benefits to humans!
Using plants that require less chemical assistance creates a safer environment for you and your family to enjoy nature in.
Midwestern native plants are beautiful and unique — they represent the life of the Midwest and everything that has thrived in this area for thousands of years. No one will have a garden like yours!
Tips for Using Native Midwestern Plants In Your Garden From Do Good Gardens
Photo by Khara Woods
Depending on your level of expertise, getting started with a native garden could be as easy as heading over to a local garden store/nursery (like our pals at Prairie Friends) and grabbing a couple of plants. Or, it could involve taking a closer look at our Lawn, Garden, and Wildlife page to find a landscaper/service provider that fits your needs.
I talked to the team over at one of our website sponsors, Do Good Gardens, for some advice about getting started planting native plants.
Q: What made you want to get into sustainable landscaping?
A: We really detest the whole concept of traditional lawns.
Q: When is the best time to start a native garden in Chicago?
A: It really depends on the specific plant, but either in the spring or fall is fine.
Q: What do you wish more people would know about native gardens?
A: We wish more people knew that native gardens offer hella benefits beyond their beauty.
Native gardens support local ecosystems by providing habitat and food sources for native wildlife, including pollinators like bees and butterflies.
These gardens require less water and maintenance once established, making them a sustainable and environmentally friendly landscaping choice.
Native plants also have deep roots that help prevent soil erosion and improve soil quality, which can contribute to better water management and reduced runoff.
By planting native gardens, we can make a positive impact on the environment and create thriving, resilient landscapes that benefit both nature and people.
Q: What are your top 5 tips for people just getting started / new to thinking about native gardens?
A:
Research and Plan: Start by researching native plants that are well-suited to your region's climate, soil type, and sunlight conditions. Create a garden plan that outlines the layout and placement of different plants to ensure a harmonious and visually appealing result.
Select Native Plants: Choose a variety of native plants that offer a range of colors, textures, and heights. Consider including a mix of flowers, grasses, and shrubs to provide diverse habitats for wildlife and create a visually dynamic garden.
Prepare the Soil: Prepare your garden area by removing weeds, rocks, and debris. Native plants thrive in well-draining soil, so consider testing and amending the soil as needed to create optimal growing conditions.
Start Small: Begin with a manageable area for your first native garden. Starting small allows you to gain experience and gradually expand over time. You can always add more plants and expand your garden as you become more comfortable with the process.
Water and Maintenance: While native plants are generally low-maintenance once established, they still require some care in their early stages. Water new plants regularly until they establish their root systems. Mulching around plants can help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Regularly monitor for pests and diseases, and adjust your care routine as needed.
Q: What is your favorite Midwest native flower and plant?
A: Probs the coneflower for their vibrant colors and contributions to pollinator habitats. (pictured above).
Thanks for talking to us Do Good!
Other Resources For Midwest And Illinois Native Gardens
They offer material to help identify plants, native plant sales, native plant nurseries, a discussion board, and other educational opportunities!
In addition to being able to visit the botanical gardens (and maybe look at some native plants first), they offer online classes about native plants.
They offer handouts, guides, and articles to teach you about native plants and incorporate them into landscaping.
Here you can find extremely detailed information about a variety of Illinois wildflowers.
The eco-beauty of native Midwestern plants offers us a profound opportunity to embrace sustainability, foster biodiversity, and cultivate a deeper connection with the natural world. As we’ve seen, native plants require minimal maintenance, they provide essential resources to wildlife and local pollinators, and they play an important role in the fight against climate change.
We hope you’ve enjoyed exploring the unique benefits native plants bring to our ecosystems and we encourage you to incorporate native plants into your own spaces to create havens of tranquility and harmony.
